Arrangement note: Series III. Internal: Work

Harvey Allen grew up poor in Philadelphia. After taking singing lessons at the Artie Singer Vocal School, he got jobs singing in night clubs up and down the east coast. He also took acting classes in New York and performed at the Copa Club. In the 1950s, he moved to Las Vegas and auditioned for Jack Entratter at the Sands Hotel and Casino where he performed with numerous entertainers including Lena Horne, Louis Armstrong, Tallulah Bankhead and Robert Merrill. Allen's accomplishments include attending and obtaining a degree in telecommunications and film from San Diego State and a Master's degree from UNLV. He worked for the American Society of Composer, Authors and Publishers. Harvey recalls working on a segregated strip and the opening of the first integrated casino in Las Vegas, The Moulin Rouge. Twice he moved from Las Vegas but always returned. He implemented National Reading Week for the State Department of Education and was the emcee for Sunrise Hospital Cancer Survivors Week. In addition to hosting a popular talk show on KDON radio, he hosted the "All-Nighters Club Convention", taught classes at UNLV tor 31 years and wrote a column in Maturity Today. Now Harvey is at a different stage of his life. He and his wife are active in running their public relations agency, enjoying their garden, taking great photographs and spending time together in their fabulous home in Anthem.

Dr. Dave Emerson was born in Littleton, Massachusetts. His father, a mining engineer, moved the family to Mexico twice, once when Dave was one year old and again when he was seven. In 1938, his father retired to work on his apple orchard in Littleton. Dave helped with pruning, spraying and dusting for insects, and hauling apples to the cider mill. Dr. Emerson graduated from high school in Littleton in 1945 and joined the army. Because he was only 17, the army sent him to Norwich University in Vermont until he turned 18. He then went on active duty until December, 1947. After he mustered out, Dartmouth College accepted his credits and he completed courses through his junior year. He was then called back to active duty in the Korean conflict, and was assigned to the Army Chemical Center in Maryland. After his army stint, Dr. Emerson worked a summer for Dow Chemical as a research engineer, and then returned to Michigan to pursue a Master's degree. He met and married his wife during this time. After completing his doctorate, Dave went to work for Shell Oil Company. Dave spent six years with Shell and decided to turn to teaching. He took a job at a branch of the University of Michigan. He worked there 17 years, doing research, teaching, and even spending a little time as chairman of the Division of Art, Sciences, and Letters. He was then notified of an opening at UNLV for dean of the College of Science, Math, and Engineering. In 1981, Dr. Emerson and his wife moved to Las Vegas, and he began teaching chemistry classes. He was instrumental in building up the engineering department through distance education for students who needed credits in math, computer skills, or electrical engineering. He also helped put together and sell the idea of a strong engineering school at UNLV, and then worked to gain accreditation for civil, mechanical, electrical and other areas of engineering. After retiring in 1998, Dr. Emerson worked on the self-study for the year 2000 accreditation. He still does research at UNLV on a volunteer basis. He and his wife continue to enjoy their home here in Vegas as well as their travels around the country.